Turkish group wants Egyptian leaders prosecuted

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A Turkish Islamic human rights group has petitioned for Egypt’s military chief and 10 other officials to be put on trial for crimes including murder, torture and unlawful imprisoning under a law that allows prosecution of such crimes by Turkish courts, even if they were not committed in the country.

Ahmet Faruk Unsal, who heads the Ankara-based Mazlum-Der group, said Thursday he filed the complaint with prosecutors against the Egyptian defense minister and the military-backed government this week for deposing Islamist leader Mohammed Morsi through a “coup.”

He added, however, that prosecutors need the Justice Ministry’s permission before starting possible action against Egyptian leaders.

Turkey’s Islamic-rooted government, which had forged an alliance with Morsi, has also spoken out against his ouster and has demanded his immediate release.